A tumultuous crowd on Wednesday filled Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State, for the reception of former Senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as he formally defected to the national ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akpabio defected along with many of his supporters from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The National Women Leader of APC, Alhajia Salamatu Umar, described the huge crowd at the stadium as unprecedented.

“Nigerian women are proud of Akpabio,” she said.

She praised Akpabio for the transformation that has taken place in Akwa Ibom.

No fewer than 30 APC’s senators and members of National Working Committee (NWC) were on hand to receive the ex-senate minority leader.

The Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, who introduced his colleagues, spoke on Akpabio whom he described as a nationalist and patriot who believes in Nigeria’s unity.

He said: “This defection surpasses all other defections.

“This is a defection that has shaken the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“They followed Akpabio everywhere to prevent him from defecting but he ignored them.”

He said Akpabio is a nationalist who believes in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The 55-year-old Akpabio is a lawyer and politician who was also Governor of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria from May 29, 2007, to May 29, 2015.

In 2002, he was appointed Honourable Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources by the then Governor Obong Victor Attah in Akwa Ibom State.

Between 2002 and 2006, he served as a Commissioner in three key ministries: Petroleum and Natural Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as Lands and Housing.

In 2006, he aspired for the governorship of Akwa Ibom State in a hotly contested primary election and defeated 57 other aspirants to emerge the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

His campaign with the slogan, “let God’s will be done” received mass support and was elected Governor in 2007.

He was re-elected for a second term in office as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2011.

•Based on NAN reports.

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